MOT

Your MOT is an annual test for vehicle safety, ‘road-worthiness’ and exhaust emissions as required in Great Britain for the majority of vehicles over 3 years old that may be used on any surface defined as ‘road’.

The MOT test certificates are currently issued in Great Britain under the support and governance of the ‘Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’ (DVSA). They are an executive agency of the Department for Transport. The test and pass certificate are habitually referred to as simply ‘MOT’.

An MOT pass certificate indicates that, at the time of the test, the vehicle met or exceeded the minimum safety standards determined by the DVSA guidelines.

The MOT test certificate confirms that, at the time of the test, the vehicle has met the minimum acceptable environmental and road safety standards. However, the certificate does not mean the vehicle is roadworthy for the life of the certificate. The test does not cover the condition of the clutch, gearbox or the engine. Maintenance that is necessary to ensure the reliability and efficient performance of the vehicle but not its safety for parts of the service inspection that is recommended by the manufacturers.

Items such as Windscreens, wipers and exhaust systems are tested for the condition and operation. Windscreen wipers will fail the test if they do not satisfactorily clear the windscreen when used in conjunction with the washers. The exhaust system, in addition to checks on security and condition, is tested to determine whether it is obviously louder than another vehicle of the same make and model with a standard exhaust system installed.

Dismantling of any part of the vehicle during the MOT test is strictly against test regulations.

The MOT test covers the following sections:

• • Lighting and Signalling equipment
  • Steering (Inclusive of suspension)
  • Brakes
  • Tyres & Wheels
  • Seat belts
  • Body, Structure & general items (Inclusive of body and components such as spoilers, bumpers & mirror housing)
  • Exhaust, Fuel & Emissions
  • Drivers view of the road.

 

 

 

Points to remember:

• It is illegal to drive a ‘Non-exempt’ vehicle that requires a test on public roads without a current MOT, except when driving to or from (Subject to individual insurance terms & conditions) a booked MOT test or to have remedial work done to rectify failures in a previous test.
• Possession of an up to date VT20 test certificate is a pre-requisite for obtaining a tax disc
• In Great Britain MOT testing centres are regulated and licensed by the Department of Transport and DVSA for the purpose. The individual testers carrying out the inspections must also be trained and certified.
• The decision to Pass or Fail each individual vehicle presented is based on the discretion of the individual tester following the guidelines issued by the DVSA